CACP Holds Regional Meeting on Kharif MSP with Eastern States

Bhubaneswar: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) held a regional meeting in Bhubaneswar with representatives from eastern states to discuss the formulation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops. The meeting brought together key policymakers and agricultural experts to address issues related to pricing, trade policies, and crop diversification.

CACP Chairman, Professor Vijay Paul Sharma, emphasized the importance of MSP for Kharif crops, stating that India is one of the largest agricultural markets and a surplus producer of paddy and wheat. He highlighted the resurgence of Shree Anna (millets) in Indian diets, stressing the need to focus on quality seed production to enhance export potential. He also called for trade policy reforms that would directly benefit farmers and stressed the importance of crop diversification and soil health management to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, inaugurated the meeting and underscored the growing demand for Indian agricultural produce in foreign markets. He proposed the introduction of dedicated cargo services and freight corridors to boost agricultural exports and cited Odisha’s recent success in strawberry cultivation as an example of the state’s potential in high-value crops. He also advocated for organic farming practices to improve sustainability and enhance the marketability of Odisha’s produce.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, in his welcome address, highlighted Odisha’s progress in the agriculture sector, particularly in promoting small millets. He noted that the state’s initiative of providing an additional input assistance of ₹800 per quintal over the MSP for paddy has significantly encouraged farmers.

The meeting saw the participation of agriculture department officials from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, while Bihar officials joined virtually. Director of Agriculture, Prem Chandra Choudhary, delivered a presentation, outlining the key developments in the sector. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Additional Director, Dr. Rajesh Das.

The discussions at the meeting are expected to play a crucial role in shaping MSP policies, improving agricultural trade, and ensuring farmer-centric reforms in the eastern region.